Hey there!
We are Jay and Elle John, the creative minds and recipe developers behind Tater Tales!
My name is Elena, but most people call me Elle—it’s just easier! I’m Italian-Canadian, born and raised in the Northeast of Italy.
My husband, Jay, is British-Indian, and although he grew up in Mumbai, his family roots trace back to Kerala.
Together, we have over 40 years of combined experience in the kitchen. From Jay’s early culinary school days at 17 to my first job in a seaside restaurant at 16!
Our mutual love for potatoes and rice, in all their glorious forms, inspired us to explore deeper into this versatile ingredient. This love started when we met and were too broke to buy fancy food, so we made the best we could out of the humble spud. With little money but unlimited internet, we tried countless recipes, and trust me - we never got bored!
It became a tradition for us, and no matter what we could afford, we always tested and created new recipes using these simple ingredients.
Over the years, we’ve been lucky to travel a lot and discover even more recipes to make at home. This passion led us to create Tater Tales!
Here, we will share in-depth articles about different types of potatoes (ever wondered what makes Yukon Golds so special?), step-by-step guides to mastering classic potato dishes (check out our guide on the perfect mashed potatoes), and more complex recipes like potato gnocchi and stuffed potato skins.
Every post comes packed with tips and tricks from our kitchen adventures! They are complete with photos taken in our cozy London home or while indulging in a potato feast somewhere on our travels.
At Tater Tales, we’re committed to providing you with all the information, tips, and tricks you need to cook potatoes perfectly, every single time.
🎯 What Are We Cooking Today?
From crispy fries to creamy gratin, we cook potatoes in every way imaginable! Explore recipes from Italian, Indian, Mexican, as well as French, British, and American cuisines, among others.
⏲️ Beyond Tater Tales
We’ve been together since 2009 after meeting in a flatshare in London. We tied the knot on a beautiful beach in Northern Italy. Our wedding menu featured both Indian spiced potatoes and Italian potato gnocchi!
While I never leave home without my Kindle and a playlist full of country music, Jay is the analytical one. He loves a good Excel spreadsheet and reading research articles.
We enjoy nature walks, cooking (and feeding anyone hungry!), dreaming up sun-soaked vacations, and deciding what to watch next on TV.
We are also the proud creators of The Perfect Rice and Spice and Life!
🔎 How To Get Around Tater Tales
🥔 Recipes
Our recipes are neatly organized! You can find them by course, potato type, cuisine, and cooking method, making it easy to navigate them. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic French gratin, spicy Indian aloo gobi, or crispy American potato wedges, you’ll get there with just a few clicks.
🍠 Types of Potato
Sometimes, you just need to know your spud a little better before you start cooking. We cover all the different varieties of potatoes and their best uses. Need a substitute? We’ve got you covered there too!
👩🏻🍳 How To
This section covers the basics of how to cook specific potato types, whether by roasting, boiling, or frying. Perfect for when you need to whip up a side dish like roasted potatoes for your Sunday roast or the ideal topping for your shepherd’s pie.
Let's Cook Something Together!
We’re thrilled that you’ve found us. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out—we’d love to hear from you!
Elle & Jay